Arthur Fery entered the US Open with hopes of a storybook debut, only to see those aspirations dashed in the first round by Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, the tournament's 13th seed, in a straight‑sets loss at Flushing Meadows. Just a week after his impressive run to the final of the Winston‑Salem Open, Fery was looking to replicate the kind of magic that carried him to the Wimbledon semi‑finals earlier in the season.
Instead, Musetti proved too sharp, dispatching the British qualifier 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5 in a match that highlighted the gap between an emerging talent and an established top‑20 player. The opening set began with both men holding serve, but the balance tipped in the eighth game when Fery double‑faulted twice in succession. Those two unforced errors handed Musetti a crucial break, and the Italian capitalised immediately, sealing the first set 6‑3 with a second break later in the set.
Musetti's baseline game was relentless; his backhand winners flew down the line with precision, forcing Fery onto the defensive. In the second set, Musetti continued to dominate from the back of the court. His ability to dictate play with deep, penetrating strokes left Fery scrambling.
A break in the sixth game gave Musetti a comfortable lead, and he never looked back, holding both of his service games without trouble to close the set 6‑3. The third set offered a brief flash of hope for Fery. He broke Musetti early, putting the Italian on the back foot and suggesting a possible comeback.
However, Musetti responded instantly, breaking back to regain his service and restore the equilibrium. The momentum swung back and forth, with Musetti breaking again in the fifth game to go up a break, then serving for the match. Fery fought back, clawing a break of his own to stay in contention, but unforced errors resurfaced, and Musetti broke once more to serve out the match at the first opportunity. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports' former champion Tim Henman underscored the learning curve ahead for Fery.
Henman noted that while the British player showed promise, he still lacks the experience required at the sport's highest level. "He's 33 in the world and hasn't played a great deal of tennis outside the UK at this level," Henman said.
"Facing a world‑class opponent like Musetti, who has already reached Grand Slam semi‑finals, highlights the areas Fery needs to improve." Henman offered specific advice: Fery should aim to finish points at the net more often, take the ball earlier on his forehand side—especially in hot conditions—to generate greater penetration, and work on adding pace to his first serve while maintaining accuracy, despite his relatively modest height. Laura Robson, also of Sky Sports, praised Musetti's performance, pointing out his superior racket speed and ability to open the court. "Musetti was too good," she said. "He had that extra gear, and his pace off the racquet made a huge difference.
Fery will be disappointed not to have held the first set, as that could have changed the match's trajectory, but he faced a very strong opponent." Naomi Broady added a broader perspective on Fery's future. She highlighted that his recent ATP 250 successes have put him on the radar, and now he will encounter higher‑ranked players more frequently. "He's proven himself at the ATP 250 level, but now people will start watching him. It becomes a cat‑and‑mouse game of staying ahead," Broady explained.
"I wouldn't expect him to plateau; the next few months could be very exciting, and his ranking can still skyrocket." Musetti, speaking after his victory, admitted the match was not flawless. He recalled a tense moment at 5‑3 when a passing shot went awry, and a subsequent wobble at 5‑4 that saw him miss three easy forehands despite serving well.
"The key today was my attitude," Musetti said. "I stayed focused, stuck to the game plan, and even though I didn't feel the ball perfectly, I executed what I needed to do. I'm really happy to be back in New York after missing two Grand Slams." The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports daily through September 13, with streaming options available on NOW without a contract and through the Sky Sports app.
Fans can also catch highlights, match scores, and exclusive video content across Sky's platforms. The tournament promises more thrilling tennis as the field narrows, and both seasoned stars and rising talents will vie for the coveted championship title.